#militarypoems
But where do you weep
When somebody you love dies
To the Earth or sky?
Jun 13, 2018
Jun 13, 2018 at 10:57 AM UTC
The Grumpy Old Veteran Says
***
In the days of the Commando gunner esteemed,
Who lived through eras others only dreamed,
“Uphill to school, barefoot, in the snow,” he’d reminisce,
A tale of endurance, not for the amiss.
No GPS to guide him, just the trusty paper map,
Navigating through life’s twists and trap,
Remembering friends’ numbers, a memory to hone,
No scrolling through contacts on a smartphone throne.
Waiting for photos to develop, oh, the suspense,
A test of patience, a photographic dance,
Enduring the radio DJ’s chatter without a fume,
Hoping for the favourite song to resume.
Blowing into game cartridges, a quirky routine,
Only to watch the game freeze, quite a scene,
Slow internet speeds, dial-up’s symphony,
Pondering life’s mysteries in the midst of technology.
Carrying change for pay-phones, a pocketful plight,
Now smartphones rule, shining bright,
Talking face-to-face, a precious art,
Not just pixels on a screen to impart.
Walking to change the TV channel, a nostalgic task,
Remote-less TV viewing, a bygone ask,
Consulting encyclopaedias for research decree,
A scholar in the age of information, so free.
Chatting without screens in the way,
Listening to albums all the way,
Disappearing without digital trace,
Binge-watching not in the chase.
Leaving the phone behind, surviving fine,
Getting lost without a GPS line,
Wearing double denim with carefree bliss,
Records off the radio, a pirated kiss.
Watching movies without the phone’s distraction,
Conversing with imaginary friends, a sly attraction,
Plot explanations ruining the movie spell,
Back in the day, simple tales to tell.
Getting lost on road trips, paper map unfolds,
Siri’s absence, a story to behold,
Oh, the Commando gunner’s journey through the past,
A mix of nostalgia and memories vast.
Paul Baldry (LongJohn)
May 20
May 20, 2026 at 6:03 AM UTC